Representatives from Le Havre, Caen-Ouistreham, Cherbourg, Brest and Bordeaux will meet with cruise lines and industry partners in Las Palmas on September 16th and 17th to discuss new deployment opportunities along the French Atlantic coast.
The discussions will cover port capacity, turnaround operations, shore excursion programmes and potential itinerary concepts linking the Atlantic with the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. The five ports will use their joint presence to promote the wider regional cruise offering and provide operators with a single point of contact for exploring opportunities along the French Atlantic coast.
Le Havre is home to the new Verrazzano Cruise Terminal, which provides modern infrastructure including an onshore power supply system. The port also offers access to Le Havre, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed city with strong links to Impressionist art, as well as Paris and major attractions across Normandy.
Caen-Ouistreham is positioned as a smaller-scale cruise port focused on boutique and small-ship operations. The port provides access to Caen, the historic city associated with William the Conqueror, as well as the D-Day landing beaches and other Normandy destinations.
Cherbourg is a deep-water port capable of accommodating a broad range of vessel sizes. Located in Normandy, it provides access to the region’s D-Day sites and cultural attractions. Cruise passengers arrive through the port’s historic Art Deco luggage hall, which combines the original architectural character with modern facilities.
Brest accommodates cruise ships at dedicated quays without vessel size restrictions. Its location provides access to the city and to Brittany’s cultural, maritime and natural attractions.
Bordeaux offers three cruise terminals along the Garonne River and Gironde estuary. The port provides access to Bordeaux, the regional capital known for its UNESCO-listed heritage, architecture and gastronomy, as well as the wider South-West France region. The area combines renowned wine-producing districts with Atlantic beaches, rural landscapes and historic villages.
Through their joint participation at Seatrade Cruise Med, the five French Atlantic ports aim to present cruise operators with a coordinated regional proposition covering port infrastructure, destination experiences and potential new itinerary combinations.